Anderson County to audit Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department

Anderson County Commission plans to audit the Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department, which has gained local residents’ ire over a new membership plan.

by Donna Smith

Anderson County Commission plans to audit the Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department, which has gained local residents’ ire over a new membership plan.

The 16-member County Commission recently voted to refer the issue of auditing AVFD to the Commission’s Audit and Budget committees. Commissioners said they have to find out where they will get the money in the county budget to pay for the audit, but also they want to determine or identify the scope of the audit.

Commissioner Robert McKamey had originally brought up the issue of auditing the AVFD. He said the county’s 40-year lease agreement with the department for land where its new Belmont station is currently under construction includes that there be an annual audit. He said he wouldn’t have supported the 40-year lease with AVFD if it’s in danger of going under financially, which has been a reason reportedly given for the membership program. When the Belmont station is complete, the AVFD will have three stations.

County Budget Director Chris Phillips, in response to questions, said AVFD, along with the other volunteer fire departments in the county, currently give the county information on its revenues, expenses and budget, but do not provide copies of audit reports.

Commissioner Tim Isbel said he agreed with an audit of AVFD being needed, but he also thinks a special task force needs to be set up to examine various issues pertaining to the volunteer fire departments.

Commissioner Myron Iwanski said in addition to finances, issues such as potential conflict of interest need to be looked at. He said in examining information he found on the AVFD, all of its board of directors are members of the fire department. Commissioner Dusty Irwin said a look at lease agreements, bylaws and other issues is needed.

Recently, the AVFD sent out letters to residents in its service area telling them they’d have to pay a membership fee to be given fire or medical help from the AVFD or risk paying more if they have to get the help and are not already members.

According to the AVFD website, www.tnavfd.com, the membership fee is .08-cent per square feet of the residents’ buildings. AVFD states on its website, for example, that a resident with a building/house of 1,500 square feet would pay $120 a year. There is a $100 minimum membership.